On Wednesday, June 3rd at approximately 3pm I was standing on the highest point in North America—the summit of Mt. McKinley in Alaska. It was one of the most challenging and yet most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. As COO of Mozy, I was supported off the mountain by family, friends, and co-workers to whom I am immensely grateful. I was supported on the mountain by lead guide John Race and his two assistants . They helped keep me alive and healthy for the ascent, the summit, and the descent. I carried Mozy and Decho banners with me, along with one for my plane crash survivor sister-in-law and much better blogger, Stephanie Nielson . As I reflect on the experience, there are two things I want to share with the world and customers of Mozy and Decho in particular:

The importance of focus

Execution, execution, execution

One of the reasons I loved my Denali adventure was because it forced me to focus. Breathe, step carefully, watch the rope, wiggle my fingers and toes to keep them warm, breathe some more, step up again carefully, and so on. I wanted to stay alive and get to the summit. There were few other things to worry about that didn’t lie directly in the path of my ultimate objective. I love that kind of focus.

Even with all the focus in the world, if you can’t execute you’ll be stuck at base camp, or in Talkeetna, or worse…on your couch. Putting all the pieces together and “making it happen” in pursuit of the goal you’re focused on requires a lot of skill and even more dogged determination.

I am happy to work somewhere that has a sharp focus and the discipline to execute accordingly. We already make the world’s best online backup software, and that is just the beginning. Join me in the figurative “clouds” of the adventure that is Decho. We’re on our way to the summit!